Consortium courts Amazon tycoon Bezos to buy stake in Liverpool Football Club

Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, has been approached to join a consortium which is in talks to buy a stake in Liverpool Football Club.

Sky News can reveal that Mr Bezos has held discussions about joining a syndicate of investors led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of billionaire steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal.

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A source cautioned that he was not certain to proceed with an investment in Liverpool FC.

The Amazon and Blue Origin tycoon, who also owns the Washington Post, is estimated by Forbes magazine to boast a fortune worth almost $257bn, making him the world's fourth-richest man.

He has reportedly explored bids in the past for the Seattle Seahawks, this year's Super Bowl winners, and the Washington Commanders, another NFL team, although he did not proceed with either deal.

If Mr Bezos does proceed with an investment in Liverpool, it would nevertheless represent a surprise move, despite the apparently relentless influx of American money into the top flight of English football.

About half of the 20 Premier League clubs are owned by predominantly US-based investors, although one of those – Crystal Palace – is currently exploring a sale.

Others with US owners include newly crowned champions Arsenal, while Manchester United remains controlled by the Glazer family, alongside the Ineos Group founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The talks between Mr Bhatia's consortium and FSG, which are said to place a valuation of at least $6bn on Liverpool, were first reported earlier on Tuesday by the Financial Times.

That would be lower than the valuation achieved by a number of American sports teams in recent transactions but could be broadly comparable to the valuation attributed to the Red Devils when Ineos bought its stake over two years ago.

Mr Bhatia relinquished control of his stake in the Championship club Queens Park Rangers earlier this week to pave the way for his consortium's prospective investment in Liverpool.

It was unclear whether the acquisition of a "strategic minority stake" would pave the way for a long-term change of control at Anfield, although observers have speculated for years that FSG would seek an outright sale at some point.

Insiders sought to play down that prospect on Tuesday, although it is understood that the Bhatia-led group could buy as much as 30% of the club.

A spokesperson for FSG said: "An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club."

The deal is said to be structured similarly to one agreed in 2023 between FSG and Dynasty Equity, which reportedly saw Liverpool valued at more than $4.5bn.

FSG, controlled by John Henry, has owned the Anfield club since 2010, when it was embroiled in a financial mess which threatened its immediate future.

The American group also owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team as well as other sporting interests.

Since taking over, FSG has largely been praised by Liverpool fans for its stewardship of the club, although last season's fifth-place finish and the decision to sack head coach Arne Slot in May caused disquiet among many.

Only a year before, the Reds were crowned Premier League champions in Slot's first campaign since replacing Jurgen Klopp.

The 2026-27 season will see Liverpool facing up to life without talismanic striker Mo Salah for the first time in nearly a decade and with a new head coach in the form of Andoni Iraola, the former AFC Bournemouth boss.

A spokesperson for the consortium led by Mr Bhatia declined to comment on Mr Bezos's prospective investment on Tuesday night, while a spokesman for Mr Bezos has been contacted for comment.

(c) Sky News 2026: Consortium courts Amazon tycoon Bezos to buy stake in Liverpool Football Club